Taekwondo: Takes 1 and 2

A couple of months ago I happened across a newsletter from our park district that outlined upcoming programs and classes for adults and children. I had been wondering if J and B were old enough for an organized sport or activity of some sort, since they need some practice with listening, following directions, and other basic skills, like waiting their turns in line. We opted out of preschool this year, since they are still greatly on the shy and attached side of things (and also because I am having too much fun with them at home), but I still wanted them to interact with other kids their age in some sort of organized setting before school.

(Note: My children hang out with me 97% of the time. Me and me alone. We are all thick as thieves, and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way right now. I am not a play-date mom. I do not, as a general rule, enjoy the company of other moms and their children. (Please do not be offended, friends of mine. You are the exception. What I mean is that I do not actively seek out new friendships simply so that I can bond with women while my children play with their children. I'm not that person.) I do watch other children during the day, so they readily accept new friends without problems. I'm just not into forcing school-like settings/friendships/play dates on them right now. They are 3, 3, and 2. They'll experience school, and all that it entails, soon enough. For now, they are mine.)

I ignored soccer and baseball, since they have had virtually zero exposure to sports like these (both The Professor and I have absolutely no interest in sports), and also since I didn't think fierce competition like that, even with other young kids, would be good for B's especially delicate psyche. (He's definitely moving out of his uber-sensitive stage, but he's still a fragile guy who is hesitant to try new things or meet new people.) Then my eye caught mention of a taekwondo class for children 3-6, and ideas and hopes and dreams fell into fragile positions.

And now here we are. With two children in taekwondo.

B doing the obstacle course during his first class.

The first class went pretty badly. Both boys were very excited about their crisp white uniforms, but once they realized Mom was not going to be participating in class with them, things fell apart. J cried a good portion of the time and refused to interact with his instructor. B refused to participate until everyone started to do an obstacle course. Surprisingly, he joined in, even sneaking in an extra round on the course after everyone else had sat down. That was the end of the participation, though, and I left holding the hands of two crying children, wondering if they would ever "get" it and just be, you know, normal.

(Note #2: A big part of their problem is the instructor himself. He's a really nice guy who has been teaching this sport for over 30 years, but he's also a tall, loud man who teaches at an alternative high school in the area. So. He's demanding and sometimes brusque; he's definitely a coach. He's perfect for this job. But my children have never had to take orders from anyone who isn't a family member, much less a tall, scary man, so getting used to Master C will take time. I'm so glad we're getting this lesson out of the way before preschool.)

B again. Sorry so blurry--he wasn't slowing down for anything.

The second session was completely and wonderfully the opposite of the first. Both boys actively participated, listened, and did their best with the class routines. J only asked to sit with me (in the parent gallery) a couple of times, and each time I asked him to watch and listen to his teacher, which he did willingly. B again demonstrated some latent leadership abilities by being the first to obey his teacher's instructions. J practically wriggled with excitement during the obstacle course, though he had lots of trouble with the concept of waiting in line. Most of Master C's attention is taken with corralling my two boys. I'm completely okay with this. They are the youngest in the class; they'll mature and learn, and then all of the tears will be distant memories.

A really fast punch!

So we're (hesitantly) enjoying taekwondo. Despite a crappy fellow parent or two, despite an admonition to not lick one another, we are all doing okay at an organized sport. Baby C can't wait until she can join her brothers on the mat, and I can't wait until my sons completely forget about my presence during class, thus allowing me to knit quietly while the other, overly-involved parents give themselves early heart attacks worrying about their 4-year-olds' stances and correct positions.

While they fall around me, I will continue to knit, happy that my children are participating in something that will push and poke at the boundaries of their little universes.